Lead screw

Lead screw About

• A lead screw (also called a "power screw or "translation screw ) is a type of screw designed not just for fastening, but to convert rotational motion into linear motion. That is: when the screw or its nut rotates, the nut (or screw) moves along the screw s axis.

• The "lead refers to the linear distance the nut (or load) moves per full 360 rotation of the screw. 

• Depending on the design: either the screw stays stationary and the nut rotates (and moves), or the screw rotates and the nut is constrained so it moves linearly.

 

• Good for light-to-moderate loads and low-speed / intermittent use: suitable where high speed or continuous operation isn't needed, but controlled and stable linear motion is.